AQT-390

POWERFLO SERIES

CON T RO L VA LVES

SERVICE MANUAL
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Residential Installation 4

AQT-390 Timer Start-up Setting Procedures 5
AQT-390 Timer Delay Start-up Setting Procedures 6
Regeneration Cycle Program Setting Procedures 7
Water Conditioner Flow Diagrams 8
Dimensional Drawings 11
Body Valve Assembly 12
Body Valve Assembly Parts List 13
DLFC Assembly 14
DLFC Assembly Parts List 15
Upper Control Drive Assembly 16
Upper Control Drive Assembly Parts List 17
Lower Control Drive Assembly 18
Lower Control Drive Assembly Parts List 19
180 Brine System Assembly 20
180 Brine System Assembly Parts List 21
Troubleshooting 22
Wiring Diagram 24
Notes 25

CO N T R O L VA LV E S

AQUATROL | P.O. Box 2235 Chino Hills, CA 91709 • USA

General Residential
Installation CO N T R O L VA LV E S

Water Pressure Minimum 25 PSI

Electrical Supply Uninterrupted AC. Check voltage compatibility
Existing Free of any deposits or build-ups inside pipes
Softener Locate close to drain and connect according to plumbing codes
Bypass Valves Always provide for bypass valve if unit is not equipped with one

CAUTION

Do not exceed 120 PSI water pressure

Do not exceed 110°F water temperature

Do not subject unit to freezing conditions

Installation Instructions
1. Place the softener tank where you want to install the unit making sure the unit is level and on a firm base.
(Maximum 7 feet apart for twin units.)
2. All plumbing should be done in accordance with local plumbing codes. The pipe size for the drain line should be the same size as the
drain line flow control female connection. Water meters are to be installed on soft water outlets. Twin units with (1) one meter shall be
installed on common soft water outlets of units.
3. Solder joints near the drain must be done prior to connecting the Drain Line Flow Control fitting. Leave at least 6" between the DLFC
and solder joints when soldering when the pipes are connected on the DLFC. Failure to do this could cause interior damage to the
DLFC.
4. Teflon tape is the only sealant to be used on the drain fitting. The drain from twin units may be run through a common line.
5. Make sure that the floor is clean beneath the salt storage tank and that it is level
6. Place approximately 1" of water above the grid plate (if used) in your salt tank. Salt may be place in the unit at this time.
7. On units with by-pass, place in by-pass position. Turn on main water supply. Open a cold soft water tap nearby and let run a few
minutes or until the system is free from foreign material (usually solder) that may have resulted from the installation.
8. Place the by-pass in service position.
9. Manually index the softener control into "service" position and let water flow into the mineral tank. When water flow stops, open a
cold water tap nearby and let run until air pressure is relieved.
10. Electrical: All electrical connections must be connected according to codes. Use electrical conduit if applicable. Remote meter system
wiring diagrams are on page 26.
11. Plug into power supply

Page 4
 AQT-390 Timer
CO N T R O L VA LV E S Start-up Setting Procedures

How To Set Days On Which Water Conditioner Is To

Regenerate:
Rotate the skipper wheel until the number "1" is at the red pointer.
Set the days that regeneration is to occur by sliding tabs on the
skipper wheel outward to expose trip fingers.
Each tab is one day. Finger at red pointer is tonight.
Moving clockwise from the red pointer, extend or retract fingers to
obtain the desired regeneration schedule.

How To Set The Time Of Day:

Press and hold the blue button in to disengage the drive gear.
Turn the large gear until the actual time of day is at the time of day
pointer.
Release the blue button to again engage the drive gear.

How To Manually Regenerate Your Water Condi-

tioner At Any Time:
Turn the manual regeneration knob clockwise.
This slight movement of the manual regeneration knob engages
the program wheel and starts the regeneration program.
The black center knob will make one revolution in the following
approximately three hours and stop in the position shown in the
drawing.
Even though it takes three hours for this center knob to complete
one revolution, the regeneration cycle of your unit might be set
only one half of this time.
In any event, conditioned water may be drawn after rinse water
stops flowing from the water conditioner drain line.

How To Adjust Regeneration Time:

1. Disconnect the power source.
2. Locate the three screws behind the manual regeneration knob
by pushing the blue button in and rotating the 24 hour dial
until each screw appears in the cut out portion of the manual
regeneration knob.
3. Loosen each screw slightly to release the pressure on the time
plate from the 24 hour gear.
4. Locate the regeneration time pointer on the inside of the 24
hour dial in the cut out.
5. Turn the plate so the desired regeneration time aligns next to
the raised arrow.
6. Push the blue button in and rotate the 24 hour dial. Tighten
each of the three screws.
7. Push the blue button and locate the pointer one more time to
ensure the desired regeneration time is correct.
8. Reset the time of day and restore power to the unit.

Page 5
AQT-390 Timer Delay
Start-up Setting Procedures CO N T R O L VA LV E S

NOTE:
To set meter capacity
rotate manual knob
1-360º revolution to
set the gallons.

Typical Programming Procedure

Calculate the gallon capacity of the system, subtract the necessary reserve requirement and set the appropriate gallons available opposite
the small white dot on the program wheel. Note, drawing shows 10,000 gallon setting. The capacity (gallons) arrow denotes remaining
gallons exclusive of the calculated reserve.

Note: To set meter capacity at initial start-up, either:

1. Rotate the manual regeneration knob one full revolution.
or
2. Rotate the program wheel manual clockwise and align white dot with capacity arrow.
This procedure must be followed any time the program wheel setting is changed.

How To Set The Time Of Day:

Press and hold the white button in to disengage the drive gear.
Turn the large gear until the actual time of say is opposite of the time of day pointer.
Release the white button to again engage the drive gear.

How To Manually Regenerate Your Water Conditioner At Any Time:

Turn the manual regeneration knob clockwise one "click".
This slight movement of the manual regeneration knob engages the program wheel and starts the regeneration program.
The black center knob will make one revolution in the following approximately three hours and stop in the position shown in the drawing.
Even though it takes three hours for this center knob to complete one revolution, the regeneration cycle of your unit might be set for only
on half of this time.
In any event, conditioned water may be drawn after rinse water stops flowing from the water conditioner drain line.

Immediate Regeneration Times:

These timers do not have a 24 hour gear. Setting the gallons on the program wheel and manual regeneration procedure are the same as
previous instructions.

Page 6
 Regeneration Cycle
CO N T R O L VA LV E S Program Setting Procedures

How To Set The Regeneration Cycle Program:

The regeneration cycle program on your water conditioner has been factory preset, however, portions of the cycle or program may be
lengthened or shortened in time to suit local conditions.

Timer Setting Procedure:

How To Change The Length Of The Backwash Time:

The program wheel as shown in the drawing is in the service position. As you look at the numbered side of the program wheel, the group
of pins starting at zero determines the length of time your unit will backwash.
For example: If there are six pins in this section, the time of backwash will be 12 min. (2 min. per pin). To change the length of backwash
time, add or remove pins as required. The number of pins times two equals the backwash time in minutes.

How To Change The Length Of Brine And Rinse Time:

The group of holes between the last pin in the backwash section and the second group of pins determines the length of time that your
unit will brine and rinse (2 min. per hole).
To change the length of brine and rinse time, move the rapid rinse group of pins to give more or fewer holes in the brine and rinse section.
Number of holes times two equals brine and rinse time in minutes.

How To Change The Length Of Rapid Rinse:

The second group of pins on the program wheel determines the length of time that your water conditioner will rapid rinse (2 min. per pin)
To change the length of rapid time, add or remove pins at the higher numbered end of this section as required. The number of pins times
two equals the rapid rinse time in minutes.

How To Change The Length Of Brine Tank Refill Time:

The second group of holes in the program wheel determines the length of time that your water conditioner will refill the brine tank (2 min.
per hole).
To change the length of refill time, move the two pins at the end of the second group of holes as required.
The regeneration cycle is complete when the outer micro-switch is tripped by the two pin set at the end of the brine tank refill section.
The program wheel, however, will continue to rotate until the inner micro-switch drops into the notch on the program wheel.

Page 7
Water Conditioner
Flow Diagrams CO N T R O L VA LV E S

Service Outlet

Inlet

1) Service Position
Hard water enters unit at valve inlet and flows down
through the mineral to the bottom. Conditioned water
Drain
flows up through the distributor tube, around the piston
Regeneration and out the outlet.
Valve

Service
Inlet
Valve

Salt Level

Brine Tank
Resin Tank

Resin Level

Brine Level

Air Check

No Hard Water By-Pass

Service Outlet 2) Backwash Position

Hard water enters unit at valve inlet and flows through
Drain
the service adapter piston for by-pass, and up through the
coupling to regenerate valve inlet. Flow continues through
Regeneration
Valve the regeneration valve piston - down the distributor tube -
through the bottom distributor and up through the mineral
- around the piston and out the drain. If optional no hard
Service
Inlet
Valve water by-pass piston is used, water flow to service outlet
is prevented by an extension on the service outlet until
Salt Level the end of the rapid rinse cycle or brine tank refill cycle,
depending on option chosen.
Brine Tank
Resin Tank

Resin Level

Brine Level

Air Check

Page 8
 Water Conditioner
CO N T R O L VA LV E S Flow Diagrams

3) Brine Position
Hard water enters unit at valve inlet - flows through injector
nozzle and throat to draw brine from the brine tank. Brine
Drain
flows down through the mineral and into the bottom
Regeneration distributor - up the distributor tube, around the piston and
Valve
out the drain.

Service
Inlet
Valve

Salt Level

Brine Tank
Resin Tank

Resin Level

Brine Level

Air Check

4) Slow Rinse Position

Hard water enters unit at valve inlet - flows through injector
Drain
nozzle and throat - down through the mineral - into the
bottom distributor - up the distributor tube - around the
Regeneration
Valve piston and out through the drain line.

Service
Inlet
Valve

Salt Level

Brine Tank
Resin Tank

Resin Level

Air Check

Brine Level

Page 9
Water Conditioner
Flow Diagrams CO N T R O L VA LV E S

5) Rapid Rinse
Hard water enter unit at inlet valve - flows through the
regeneration valve directly down through the mineral into
Drain
the bottom distributor and up through the center tube -
Regeneration around the piston and out the drain.
Valve

Service
Inlet
Valve

Salt Level

Brine Tank
Resin Tank

Resin Level

Air Check

Brine Level

Service Outlet

Inlet

6) Brine Tank Fill Position

Hard water enters unit at valve inlet - flows through nozzle
Drain
and through throat to brine valve to refill the brine tank.
Inlet flows also continues down through mineral to the
Regeneration
Valve bottom distributor. Conditioned water flows up through
the distributor tube, around the piston and out the outlet.
Note: An option is available to keep service valve in by-pass
Service
Inlet
Valve position until the end of brine tank refill cycle.

Salt Level

Brine Tank
Resin Tank

Resin Level

Brine Level

Air Check

Page 10
 Dimensional
CO N T R O L VA LV E S Drawings

Page 11
Body Valve
Assembly CO N T R O L VA LV E S

1
6

3 7

2 9

12

13

14
10
15
16

17
18
11 19

Page 12
 Body Valve
CO N T R O L VA LV E S Assembly Parts List

Item No. Quantity Part No. Description

1 1 A-60106-00 Piston HW, AQT-315, AQT-390 Upper
2 1 A-60107-00 Piston HW, AQT-390 Lower
3 1 A-60131 Seals & Spacers, AQT-315, AQT-390 Upper
4 2 A-40118 Screw, Body
5 1 A-15114 Body, Valve, AQT-390 Upper
6 1 A-16074 Coupling Assembly
7 1 A-15112 Seal, Valve Body-Adapter
8 1 A-16088 Plug, 2" NPT
9 1 A-16067-02 Valve Body, Lower, 3"
10 1 A-60132 Seals & Spacers, AQT-390 Lower
11 1 A-60107-10 Piston NHW, AQT-390 Lower
12 12 A-16517 Hex Bolt, Flange
13 1 A-16800 O-Ring
14 1 A-16345 O-Ring
15 1 A-16482 Flange Segment, (2 pcs)
16 1 A-16484 O-Ring
17 1 A-16483 Flange Ring
18 12 A-18619 Washer
19 12 A-16346 Nut

Page 13
DLFC
Assembly CO N T R O L VA LV E S

DLFC Buttons
(4 X DLFC)
A-60711
DLFC, 2” NPT

Page 14
 DLFC
CO N T R O L VA LV E S Assembly Parts List

* DLFC Button / Washer Options (x 4, can be mixed)

A-17942 DLFC Washer, 5 gpm
A-17943 DLFC Washer, 8 gpm
A-17944 DLFC Washer, 9 gpm
A-16529 DLFC Washer, 10 gpm
A-16735 DLFC Washer, 12 gpm
A-16736 DLFC Washer, 15 gpm
A-16528 DLFC Washer, 20 gpm
A-16737 DLFC Washer, 25 gpm

Page 15
Upper Control Drive
Assembly CO N T R O L VA LV E S

3
1
4
37 2 5
A-16046
KIT

7
4 12
6 8 9 10 11
36
2 34
35 32 33

16 13
29 28 15 14
31 30

23 22 17
24 21
25 20
26 19
23 27 9

18

Page 16
 Upper Control Drive
CO N T R O L VA LV E S Assembly Parts List

Item No. Quantity Part No. Description

1 1 A-17470 Cable Guide, Meter
2 1 A-17470-00 Screw Cap
3 2 A-16346 Nut, Timer
4 5 A-11225 Screw
5* 1 Timer, Mechanical
6 3 A-10016S Screw, Motor Mounting
7 1 A-15120-01 Motor, Bracket
8 4 A-11224 Hex Bolt, Motor Bracket
9 2 A-16052 Bushing
10 1 A-11898 Retainer
11 1 A-16047 Connecting Link
12 1 A-11709 Pin-drive Link
13 1 A-11774 Retaining Ring
14 1 A-16050 Retaining Ring
15 1 A-16046 Drive Gear, Kit (includes #10 - #16), 315/390
16 1 A-16048 Drive Bearing
17 1 A-60240 Valve Cover
18 1 A-60240 Screw, Cover
19 1 A-60240 Transparent Panel
20 1 A-60240 Washer
21 1 A-60240 Screw
22 1 A-16052-1 Bushing, Cam
23 2 A-16051 Retaining Ring
24 1 A-16494-03 Cam
25 4 A-10231 Hex Bolt, Bracket, Brine Valve
26 1 A-16053 Bracket, Brine Valve
27 1 A-16059 Washer, SS
28 1 A-17797 Bracket, Switch Mounting 315/390
29 1 A-11381 Roll Pin
30 3 A-10302 Insulator, Switch
31 3 A-10218 Switch
32 2 A-40080 Screw, Switch
33 1 A-30018F Motor 24V, AQT-275, 285, 290 Up, 315, 390 Up & Low
34 1 A-16045-3G Drive Pinion, Motor 3rd Gen.
35 1 A-19304 Back Plate
36 4 A-11235 Nut
37 1 A-07190F Transformer, 24V, 60Hz, for Mechanical and NX

Page 17
Lower Control Drive
Assembly CO N T R O L VA LV E S

A-16046
KIT

3
32 5 6 7
4
31
29 30
28

8
10 9
11
12

27 24 13
26 25 14
15

16

19
12 21 17
23 22
20

18

Page 18
 Lower Control Drive
CO N T R O L VA LV E S Assembly Parts List

Item No. Quantity Part No. Description

1 4 A-11235 Nut
2 1 A-19305 Back Plate, 390 Lower
3 1 A-16086 Motor, Bracket, 390 Lower
4 3 A-11225 Screw
5 1 A-11898 Retainer
6 1 A-16047 Connecting Link
7 1 A-11709 Pin-drive Link
8 1 A-11774 Retaining Ring
9 1 A-16050 Retaining Ring
10 1 A-16046 Drive Gear, Kit (includes #10 - #16), 315/390
11 1 A-16048 Drive Bearing
12 2 A-16052 Bushing
13 4 A-11224 Hex Bolt, Motor Bracket
14 1 A-60240 Valve Cover
15 1 A-60240 Screw, Cover
16 1 A-60240 Transparent Panel
17 1 A-60240 Washer
18 1 A-60240 Screw
19 1 A-16494-03 Cam
20 4 A-10231 Hex Bolt, Bracket, Brine Valve
21 1 A-16053 Bracket, Brine Valve
22 1 A-16059 Washer, SS
23 1 A-16051 Retaining Ring
24 1 A-17797 Bracket, Switch Mounting 315/390
25 1 A-10302 Insulator, Switch
26 1 A-10218 Switch
27 2 A-11805 Screw, Switch
28 1 A-30018F Motor 24V, AQT-275, 285, 290 Up, 315, 390 Up & Low
29 1 A-16045-3G Drive Pinion, Motor 3rd Gen.
30 1 A-11381 Roll Pin
31 3 A-10016S Screw, Motor Mounting
32 1 A-18691 Connector, Back Plate, Lower 390

Page 19
180 Brine System
Assembly CO N T R O L VA LV E S

PN 1 - 14 -------- A-60277 --- Brine Valve, Short Stem, Less BLFC, 1” for AQT-315 & AQT-390
PN 10 - 14 ------ A-60036 --- Inyector Body, 1”for AQT-315 & AQT-390

2
3
4
5
6.1
7
16 8
3
15 5

6.2
9
10
11
12
13
14
Injector*
# 6.1
# 6.2

Page 20
 180 Brine System
CO N T R O L VA LV E S Assembly Parts List

Item No. Quantity Part No. Description

1 1 A-18703 Brine Tube
2 2 A-18702 Tube Fitting
3 6 A-12473 Screw
4 1 A-16341-01 Cap, Injector, BV-180
5 2 A-15246 O-Ring, Cap, Injector, BV-180
6.1* 1 Injector Nozzle
6.2* 1 Injector Throat
7 1 A-16340 Injector Body
8 2 A-12473 Screw
9 1 A-19054 O-Ring
10 1 A-16497-01 Brine Stem Assembly
11 1 A-18713 Brine Valve Body, BV-180
12 1 A-11772 Spring, BV-180
13 1 A-11774 Retaining Ring
14 1 A-16498-01 Stem Guide Assembly
15** 1 BLFC, Button
16 1 A-60710 BLFC, Brine Fitting, BV-180

* BLFC Button / Washer Options

A-17942 BLFC Washer, 5 gpm
A-17943 BLFC Washer, 8 gpm
A-17944 BLFC Washer, 9 gpm
A-16529 BLFC Washer, 10 gpm
A-16735 BLFC Washer, 12 gpm
A-16736 BLFC Washer, 15 gpm
A-16528 BLFC Washer, 20 gpm
A-16737 BLFC Washer, 25 gpm

Page 21
Troubleshooting
Problems, Cause & Corrections
Problem
1) Softener fails to regenerate.
2) Hard water.
3) Unit used too much salt.
4) Loss of water pressure.
5) Loss of mineral through drain line.
6) Iron in conditioned water.
7) Excessive water in brine tank.
Page 22
Cause
A) Electrical service to unit has been
interrupted.
B) Timer is defective.
C) Power failure.
A) By-pass valve is open.
B) No salt in brine tank.
C) Injector screen plugged.
D) Insufficient water flowing into brine
tank.
E) Hot water tank hardness.
F) Leak at distributor tube.
G) Internal Valve Leak.
H) Service Adapter did not return to
service.
A) Improper salt setting.
B) Excessive water in brine tank.
A) Iron buildup in line to water conditioner.
B) Iron buildup in water conditioner.
C) Inlet of control plugged due to foreign
material broken loose from pipes by recent
work done on plumbing system.
A) Air in water system.
B) improper size drain line flow control.
A) Fouled mineral bed.
A) Plugged drain line flow control.
B) Plugged injector system.
C) Timer not cycling.
D) Foreign material in brine valve.
E) Foreign material in brine line flow
control.
CO N T R O L VA LV E S
Correction
A) Assure permanent electrical service
(check fuse, plug, pull chain or switch).
B) Replace timer.
C) Reset time of day.
A) Close by-pass valve.
B) Add salt to brine tank and maintain salt
level above water level.
C) Clean injector screen.
D) Check brine tank fill time and clean
brine line flow control if plugged.
E) Repeated flushing of the hot water tanks
required.
F) Make sure distributor tube is not
cracked. Check O-ring and tube pilot.
G) Replace seals and spacers and/or piston.
H) Check drive motor and switch.
A) Check salt usage and salt setting.
B) See problem No. 7.
A) Clean line to water.
B) Clean control and add mineral cleaner
to mineral bed. Increase frequency of
regeneration.
C) Remove piston and clean control.
B) Assure that well system has proper
air eliminator control. Check for dry well
conditions.
B) Check for proper drain rate.
A) Check backwash, brine draw and
brine tank fill. Increase frequency of
regeneration. Increase backwash time.
A) Clean flow control.
B) Clean injector and screen.
C) Replace timer.
D) Replace brine valve seat and clean valve.
E) Clean brine line flow control.
 Troubleshooting Continued
CO N T R O L VA LV E S Problem, Cause & Corrections

Problem Cause Correction

8) Softener fails to draw brine.
9) Control cycle continuously.
A) Drain line flow control is plugged.
B) Injector is plugged.
C) Injector screen plugged.
D) Line pressure is too low.
E) Internal control leak.
F) Service adapter did not cycle.
A) Misadjusted, broken or shorted switch.
A) Clean drain line flow control.
B) Clean injector.
C) Clean screen.
D) Increase line pressure to 20 P.S.I.
E) Change seals, spacers and piston
assembly
F) Check drive motor and switches.
A) Determine if switch or timer is faulty and
replace it or replace complete power head.

10) Drain flows continuously.
A) Valve is not programming correctly.
B) Foreign material in control.
A) Check timer program and positioning
of control. Replace power head assembly if
not positioned properly.
B) Remove power head assembly and
inspect bore. Remove foreign material
and check control in various regeneration
positions.

C) Internal control leak C) Replace seals and piston assembly.

General Service Hints for Meter Control

Problem: Softener delivers hard water
Reason: Reserve capacity has been exceeded.
Correction: Check salt dosage requirements and reset program wheel to provide additional reserve.
Reason: Program wheel is not is not rotating with meter output.
Correction: Pull cable out of meter cover and rotate manually. Program wheel must move without binding and clutch must give positive
clicks when program wheel strikes regeneration stop. If it does not, replace timer.
Reason: Meter is not measuring flow.
Correction: Check meter with meter checker.

Page 23
Wiring
Diagrams CO N T R O L VA LV E S

TM Time Motor
VDM Valve Drive Motor
LDM Lower Drive Motor
SW1 Timer Homing Switch
SW2 Timer Program Switch
SW3 Valve Homing Switch
SW4 Valve Step Switch
SW5 Brine Cam Switch
SW6 Lower Drive Switch
THCAM Timer Homing Cam
TPCAM Timer Program Cam
HCAM Valve Homing Cam
SCAM Valve Step Cam
BVCAM Brine Valve Cam

Page 24
CO N T R O L VA LV E S

NOTES:

Page 25
 CO N T R O L VA LV E S

NOTES:

Page 26
www.aquatroltech.com

CO N T R O L VA LV E S

AQUATROL | P.O. Box 2235 Chino Hills, CA 91709 • USA

LIT-AQT-390-MAN 08/24/20